The eight games will be simulcast on NFL Network, which will also televise eight late-season games, two of which will be on Saturday.

CBS Sports will produce all 16 games.

“We are very pleased to build on our outstanding partnership with the NFL by expanding our coverage to Thursday nights,” CBS Corporation President and CEO Les Moonves said in a statement. “CBS is a premium content company and the NFL represents the best premium content there is. I look forward to all this new deal will do for us not only on Thursday nights, but across our entire schedule.”

The agreement is only for the 2014 season, but the NFL holds an option for an additional year.

“The NFL is the most powerful programming in television. To add a primetime NFL package to our successful Sunday AFC package further strengthens our position in the sports marketplace. We look forward to having Jim and Phil and our top production team showcased in prime time on Thursday nights," said CBS Sports chairman Sean McManus:

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the move was to bring more visibility to Thursday night games.

“Our goal is to bring these games to more fans on broadcast television with unprecedented promotion and visibility for Thursday Night Football on CBS," he said.